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Exciting young striker Bruce Djite was unable to force his way into the Socceroos squad named today for a friendly match against South Africa on August 19.
Even with England-based duo Mark Viduka (Achilles) and Tim Cahill (foot) on the sidelines for several more weeks because of injury, Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek said he’d prefer to give Djite more time to establish himself at his Turkish club Genclerbirligi.
The former Adelaide United frontman has scored six goals in three pre-season matches but Verbeek is happy enough to leave the 21-year-old in Turkey for the moment.
Australia also have an international against the Netherlands in Eindhoven on September 6 ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on September 9.
“We prefer him (Djite) to play games at his club to get a place in the team,” Verbeek told reporters today from Shanghai, where he watched the Olyroos draw 1-1 with Serbia overnight.
“We keep every player in mind. I have enough strikers for the (South Africa) game.
We have contact with him, we know he is doing well, we know he is happy, we know he has to work hard.”
The Socceroos squad includes Turkey-based Harry Kewell with fellow strikers Josh Kennedy, Scott McDonald and Brett Holman.
Verbeek said it was “doubtful” if Viduka and Cahill would be ready for international football by September 9.
“As far as I know, at the end of August Viduka will probably be fit enough to start playing games,” he said.
“That’s … probably not enough time to go for the qualification game in Uzbekistan and Timmy that’s the same situation.
“So I don’t think we can use those players on the September game but we always have hope and we’ll see what’s going on in the next four weeks.”
Veteran Basel FC wide man Scott Chipperfield has recovered from a foot operation and is set to play his first game for the Socceroos since last year, and first under new coach Verbeek.
The Dutchman said he had been in regular contact with the Swiss-based Chipperfield and the 32-year-old was keen to play in another World Cup after being part of Australia’s 2006 squad.
“He’s very willing to be a part of the Socceroos again,” Verbeek said.
“It’s always good to have a more experienced player back in your squad.”
Verbeek left Australian-based players out of the squad for the clash with South Africa at London’s Loftus Road Stadium.
The A-League season starts next weekend.
“It’s important now when a new season starts that the A-League can start with full-strength squads,” Verbeek said.
The Socceroos are 38th on the FIFA World Rankings while World Cup 2010 hosts South Africa are 73rd.
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